How to give a subcutaneous injection

This shows technique, not medical advice. Follow your product’s instructions and your clinician’s.

Vial and syringe

You draw your dose from a vial with an insulin syringe.

  1. Wash and check. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Check the label and the date. The liquid should look the way your product’s instructions say, with nothing floating in it.
  2. A new syringe, a clean stopper. Use a new syringe and needle every time. Take the cap off a new vial; the rubber stopper stays in. Wipe the stopper with an alcohol swab and let it dry.Don’t blow on it.
  3. Air in. Pull the plunger back to draw in air equal to your dose. Push the needle through the stopper and push the air in. It makes the liquid easier to draw.
  4. Draw to your mark. Turn the vial and syringe upside down. Keep the tip in the liquid and slowly pull a little past your mark. Tap so the bubbles rise, then push slowly up to your mark, read at the stopper’s front edge.Then pull the needle out of the vial. Never leave a needle in the stopper.
  5. Choose and clean your spot. Pick a spot, a different one from last time. Start with clean skin, and wash it if it’s dirty.Many instructions say to wipe the spot with an alcohol swab. If you do, let it dry completely before you inject.
  6. Fold and insert. Gently lift a fold of skin with your thumb and index finger, about 2.5 cm (1 in) apart. Insert the needle straight in at 90°, in the middle of the fold, in one smooth motion.Don’t squeeze.
  7. Inject and hold. Push the plunger all the way, slowly. Then keep the needle in for at least 5 seconds.
  8. Out, then press gently. Pull the needle out at the same angle, then let go of the fold. A tiny drop of liquid or blood is normal. Press gently with gauze, and don’t rub.
  9. Into the sharps container. Don’t put the cap back on. The needle and syringe go straight into a sharps container. Next time, choose a spot at least a finger’s width (about 1 cm) from this one.No sharps container yet? A heavy plastic bottle with a tight, puncture-proof lid, like a laundry-detergent bottle, will do.

Multi-dose pen

You put on a new needle and dial your dose.

  1. Wash and check. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Check the pen: the right medicine and strength, the date, and no damage. The liquid should look the way your pen’s instructions say, with nothing floating in it.
  2. A new needle. If your pen has a rubber seal, wipe it with an alcohol swab. Push a new pen needle straight on and twist until it’s tight. Take off the outer cap (keep it) and the inner cap.Both caps must come off, or no medicine comes out.
  3. Check the flow, dial your dose. Check the flow the way your pen’s instructions say: with the needle pointing up, a drop should appear. Then turn the dial until the counter shows your dose. Don’t count the clicks.Some pens check the flow before every injection, others only with each new pen.
  4. Choose and clean your spot. Pick a spot, a different one from last time. Start with clean skin, and wash it if it’s dirty.Many instructions say to wipe the spot with an alcohol swab. If you do, let it dry completely before you inject.
  5. Insert. Insert the needle straight in at 90°. With a 4 mm needle, most adults don’t need a fold.Very lean? Lift a gentle fold first.
  6. Press and hold. Press and hold the button. When the counter is back at 0, keep holding and count slowly to 6, or to 5 if your pen says so.Keep your fingers off the counter.
  7. Out, then press gently. Pull the needle out, then let go of the button. A drop at the needle tip is normal. If you see a little blood, press lightly with gauze or cotton, and don’t rub.
  8. Needle off, into the sharps container. Take the needle off the way your pen’s instructions say and put it straight into a sharps container. Never put the small inner cap back on. Next time, choose a spot at least a finger’s width (about 1 cm) from this one.Then put the pen’s own cap back on the pen.

Single-dose pen

The needle is hidden; you press and hold.

  1. Wash and check. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Check the pen: the right medicine and dose, the date, and no damage. The liquid should be clear, with nothing floating in it. Air bubbles are normal.
  2. Choose and clean your spot. Pick a spot, a different one from last time. Start with clean skin, and wash it if it’s dirty.If your pen’s instructions say to clean the spot with an alcohol swab, or soap and water, let it dry before you inject.
  3. Cap off, pen on the skin. Take the cap off only when you’re ready, and don’t put it back on. Place the pen flat against your skin. Some pens need unlocking first.
  4. Press and hold. Press and hold. The first click means it has started. Keep holding until the pen shows it’s done: about 5 to 10 seconds.Your pen’s instructions say what done looks like: a second click with the plunger in view, or a bar that stops moving. On some pens the second click means it’s still going.
  5. Lift, then press gently. Lift the pen. A drop of liquid or blood is normal. Press with cotton or gauze, and don’t rub.
  6. Into the sharps container. Put the pen in a sharps container right away. Next time, choose a spot at least a finger’s width (about 1 cm) from this one.

Where to inject

Named in pen and vial instructions

  • Abdomen. The belly, at least 5 cm (2 in) from the navel. Easy to reach and see yourself, with plenty of fat for a shot under the skin.
  • Thigh. The upper third of the thigh, on the front and outer side. You can give it yourself.
  • Back of the upper arm. The middle of the back of the upper arm. Best given by someone else, who can lift the fold for you.

Also in injection experts' guidelines

  • Love handle. The side of the waist, above the hip bone. Injection experts’ guidelines include it; most pen instructions don’t.
  • Upper outer buttock. The upper outer buttock. Injection experts’ guidelines include it; most pen instructions don’t.

Follow your own product's instructions.

Sources

The makers’ instructions

Injection-technique guidelines

Measurements and studies

Public-health guidance

Back to the 3D guide